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Steer clear of the standards For this audio equipment cabinet, Mike Flaim took design cues from a similar piece his wife had seen in a catalog of massproduced furniture. As a result, the cabinet lacks personality. All of the pieces visible from the front are the same width. Even the negative space at the bottom is roughly that same width. Gilpin’s simple solution was to vary the widths. He would also taper the legs and give some shape to the lower rail to further enhance the custom feel of the piece. The varied color of the parts, made BEFORE Raise the pulls so that they are easier to reach. The doors should close over the top rail. ORIGINAL Lacking variety in the dimensions of its parts, the cabinet looks mass-produced. Increase and bevel the overhang. Top and shelf appear to be the same thickness. These parts are close to the same width as the space beneath the cabinet. Taper the legs, leaving them slightly wider at the bottom. Lighten the piece by adding a slight curve to the bottom edge of the lower carcase rail and terminating the taper in a step that transitions to a narrower section in the middle. Make the shelf a bit thinner. 62 FINE WOODWORKING Photo, this page: Stacy Fenner